The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1887-01-08
TIfE SUNDAY LAW.

iad be- II hoped SHE would remain
rec from. Yet, unmindful Of the
discussions which like legislation
lad produced in other states, as of
he hereditary customs and habits
Of our people, a majority Of both
Houses, and the Governor deemed
that it would tend TO quiet, and
good order, to peace and prosperity,
though bringing contention among
the inhabitants, III mining, by
arbitrary enactments, the doings Of
men on the Christian Sabbath. A
day, which by education and 10y
religious teachings had ever been
made one Of quiet aud happy re-
creation, of religious obseryances,
with mutual good will among all,
it was deelned wise to change into
one of contentious, ofdissatisfaction,
by a restriction Of heretofore exist.
ing, personal freedom; a restriction
easily accomplished by arbitrary
enactments as to What the people
might do, ana what they shall not
do, and what some should be plohib-
tied from doing.
Before the Sunday law had been
passed, the HERALD drew attention
.of the members of the Legislature,
to the report of Col. Richard M.
johnson as chairman of tho Senate
Committee, in 1929, against, alike
the ACCESSIBILITY as the Constitution.
}ality of similar legislation by Con
greSs. Attention was drawn TO the
fact, that net only was this report
held conclusive by the wisest law
yerS and statesmen of the country
at tho time, but, except by minds
carried away by bigotry or emo
tioual feelings, instead of being
controlled by cool judgment, has
over been considered as directing
! tho way to wise and sound legis
| lation.
Combinations forsopon resistance
/
TO the law have been formed; an
injunction obtained from one of the
City Judges restraining officials
from enforcing it. On the Other
hand, Ministers and others have
organized to secure its rigid enforce.
ment. Officials; enioined, charge
Hsurpation upon the judge who
ordered the injunction. Strife and
bitterness baye arisen, and will
increase. True, as law abiding
citizens the law has been generally
obeyed BY the people, yet such
obedience does not abate dissatis
faction.
Such has ever been the conse.
quencesofall sumptuary legislation.
and nowhere wouId itlikely, he more
so, than among a people who like
our own, have ever been free from
the irritating effects of such legis.
lation.
We now include no question an
to the Oonstitutionally Of the
statute. That is Il matter reserved
for the Courts. To the treaking in
on the customs Of society, to the
disruption Of peaceful and happy
ways of a people, to sumptnary
legislation, whether enacted within
the powers surrendered by the PEG.
pie to their legislature, or in viola.
ton thereof, is what the HERALD
loullHHeS 10 CenSure.
A sad feature Of all this turmoil
S not merely that the mode Of keen.
ng the Christian Sabbath has Tins
been determined by tho Legislature,
but that it had its origin, some two
iears since, in eonclave Of Chris
ian Ministers, who, apparently,
dissatisfied with the efficacy of their
'Xample and teachings in this re
gard, sought the enforcement of
heir 'eGyS, for observance of SUNDAY,
'pon people, by the strong arm
u the civil power. Such, however
vas the source the germ of this
san Lay crusade. When these
Of religious precepts view |
hese contentious; the very sauctity |
1 Sunday questioned OH scriptural |
may they not be forced /
. the conclusion, that, gagged hy